RUA RED – South Dublin Arts Centre: South Dublin County Council
RUA RED is a dynamic home for the creation and enjoyment of the arts. Along with partner organisations and tenants, the centre hosts a diverse programme of events aimed at members of the local community as well as national audiences. This multi-purpose arts resource aims to be a driver for wide public access to the arts.
RUA RED which opened in 2009, is one of the cornerstones of the cultural cluster emerging in Tallaght. The centre represents an investment of €10m by South Dublin County Council in Arts facilities in the county.
RUA RED is home to a number of Tenants (both individuals and organisations) who carry out their creative practice within the centre. Tenants are spread across 6 artist studios, 5 incubators, 2 offices and a Digital Studio (for residencies).
RUA RED also manages an artistic programme that aims to reach, inspire, teach and engage audiences of all ages and stages from across South Dublin County and beyond.
RUA RED supports creative practice, offering artists and creative people the space, time and opportunity to experiment, make and engage through a programme of residencies which may be research, production, or curatorial based.
RUA RED’s education program creates innovative and accessible education activities and projects for diverse audiences. The education program aims to encourage discussion about, and engagement with the arts, enabling a variety of groups and individuals to experience high quality arts events, performances and exhibitions, facilitated by local, national and international artists, academics, writers and speakers.
The building consists of 25,000 sq ft gross space, 14,000 sq ft of which is hired space. It is open 80 hours per week. The staff of 10 work with 120 arts partners to deliver 2000 arts events each year including 12 exhibitions. The centre facilitates 2,340 individual bookings including 940 music room hires for 200 bands and 720 artistic workshop sessions. It has 60 regular monthly arts club in the centre. In 2014 staff welcomed over 130,000 people to the venue.